Many thanks to the people who responded to my boogie-woogie post by sending stories and images of the "the things they had in them that just had to come out."

Some of the stories behind the work were incredibly personal and heart wrenching, like the woman who created a prayer shawl for another who had also lost her son. Some felt like stepping off a cliff into the unknown, like the woman who raised her hand and committed to working in Zimbabwe even though she'd never been to Africa in her life. Others felt like the necessary diversion from the everyday grind in an effort to regain some sense of self, like the woman who took up ceramics after decades of engineering.

The thing they have in common is deep narrative. And while I can't fit all the text in these posts, I've shared what resonated with me personally; I'm deeply grateful for the work sent my way. I think you'll find it inspiring as well. (Please note that this is just the first group and two more posts will follow soon).

* * *

One night I was layin' down, I heard Papa talkin' to Mama, I heard Papa say to let that boy boogie-woogie.

'Cause it's in him and it's got to come out.

~ John Lee Hooker

So here's what came out:

The controversial.

"... it's the boogie-woogie that had to get out that propelled the evolution of my quilt making ... my art is social political commentary and it's all about how I process the world we live in, specifically the US [...] My original idea was to finish the quilt so my husband and I could watch the election returns under it ..."

The sublime.

"I made the piece while at University doing my Art degree. It took many hours of work and teachers complained they were sick of seeing it. But still I persisted and in the end they gave me a High Distinction for the semester, the only time they did that [...] this was the first time I really exhibited and felt like a 'real' artist."

The whimsical.

" ... here is my boogie-woogie moment. This small quilt insisted to be made even though I don't do "art" quilts."

Sue Brigle

Sue Brigle, "Lawnmower Ballerina"

The mystical.

"A Word From Our Sponsors," created and performed by Zareen at the Belly Laughs show (May 2009) in Rockville, MD.

Remember, watch for two more boogie-woogie groups to come. If you didn't get a chance to send me your own boogie-woogie, I may do something like this again, but for now, the Boogie-woogie dance card is full. Phew, I need to kick off these killer heels and visit the punch bowl. I think my leotard is shot, too.

So many thanks to those who participated and here's a link to that original post: Boogie-woogie.